Tamil cinema's reigning superstar Joseph Vijay was at the receiving end of the Madras High Court which rebuked him for his attempts to evade paying entry tax for a high-end luxury car he has imported from Britain.
While dismissing the plea of the superstar for exemption from paying the entry tax for an imported Rolls Royce Ghost car, Justice SM Subramaniam also slapped a fine of Rs 1 lakh. This has to be paid to the Chief Minister's Covid Relief Fund within two weeks.
The judge reminded the actor that the public considered him as a role model and real hero and he should have promptly paid the entry tax the moment the authorities asked him to pay the same. "Actors who portray themselves as champions of social justice and against corruption should not evade tax," said the judge.
Justice Subramaniam reminded Joseph Vijay that superstars were not expected to behave like reel heroes.
"Tax evasion is to be construed as an anti-national habit, attitude and mindset and unconstitutional. These actors are portraying themselves as champions to bring social justice in society.